The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jul. 28, 1992
Filed:
Feb. 01, 1991
John C Groenendaal, Jr, Winter Springs, FL (US);
John J Anemone, Orlando, FL (US);
Westinghouse Electric Corp., Pittsburgh, PA (US);
Abstract
Apparatus is provided for increasing the bending flexibility of the horizontal joint flange of a low pressure steam turbine. The radial width of the horizontal joint flange in the support area where the turbine inner cylinder rests on the outer cylinder has been significantly reduced. In order to accommodate a reduction in the radial width of the flange in this area, the present invention provides a novel arrangement of the functional features of the cylinder support area. In a preferred embodiment the horizontal joint flange is capable of being narrowed in the radial direction due to the strategic rearrangement of the functional components in the support area. The present invention also provides retrofit steps for modifying existing turbines in order to provide the features and benefits of the improved apparatus. The present invention reduces ovality of the turbine inner cylinder rings, resulting in improved thermal performance and mechanical reliability as well as a reduction in flange induced, non-axisymmetric bolt loads in the horizontal joint flange bolts.